International Year of Crystallography

 

Date of Issue : 14 February 2014

Slovak Post  post issued a stamp commemorating the International Year of Crystallography on 14 February 2014.

Crystallography is a science that examines the arrangement of atoms in solids. The word “crystallography” derives from the Greek krustallos meaning cold drop or originated in cold. A more current definition states that it is a science describing the atomic and molecular structure of solids and its relation to physical, chemical and biological properties. In 2014 we will celebrate 100 years since awarding the Nobel Price to Max von Laue for the experiments that for the first time revealed the atomic (crystal) structure of solid matter via X-ray diffraction. That is why the UNO announced the year 2014 to be the International Year of Crystallography. One of the basic thoughts in the search for a crystal structure is a presumption of its symmetry and of the periodic arrangement of its basic building elements – atoms, eventually molecules. Since we live in three-dimensional space, we intuitively – and usually correctly – understand three-dimensionally ordered structures. However, the improving experimental methods allowed us to discover that there is an important group of solids that deviate from this strict rule, while their properties are related to seemingly negligible deviations from the well-established order. With the help of electron density isolines in the Ta-Ge-Te alloy crystal the stamp shows that instead of the expected placement on the straight line, atoms positions are modulated so that they create a crenel, which ultimately results into the change of substance’s properties.

The motive depicted in FDC shows such usage of symmetry that abstracts (from bottom to top) from a specific atoms arrangement in a kaolinite structure to symbolic schemes of OD theory that reflecting the laws of symmetry, lead to simplified and more understandable presentation. The stamp on FDC represents a fragment of such a structure.

On commemorative sheet is a depiction of Laue’s diagram of a chromium compound crystal with a threefold symmetry axis in line with the primary X-ray beam. UV protective layer printed on surface of postage stampis derived directly from Laues’s diagram depicted on Commemorative sheet which is finally stamped by commemorative cancellation dedicated to honour of Max von Laue.

Club News

Special cover to be issued at Jodhpur on 20the February 

On the occasion of  inauguration of Bhagwan Parshwanath and Shiv Temple, a special cover is being released on 20th February 2014 at 1.00 PM at Umaid heritage, Foothill of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Defence Lab Road, Rata- Naada, JODHPUR, . India Post will provide special cancellation. 

- Sudhir Jain – Satna (MP)

District level Stamp Exhibition in Gaya organized by India Post

STAMP EXHIBITION, GAYA STAMP FESTIVAL 2014  FROM 22 - 23 FEBRUARY 2014

A special cover on Buddha  will be released during the exhibition. 

THE COMMISSIONER, MAGADH DIVISION  will inaugurate the exhibition and the Vice Chancellor , MAGADH UNIVERSITY will be the chief guest for the closing ceremony. During the exhibition quiz and essay contest will be organized.

- ANIL SAXENA,  GAYA    email: saxenaak273@yahoo.co.in

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Switzerland - Japan Joint issue

 

Date of Issue : 6 February 2014

The year 2014 will mark a milestone in the friendly relations between Switzerland and Japan who will celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations 150 years ago. In 1864 a first Treaty of Amity and Trade was signed between the two countries. This auspicious anniversary will offer plenty of occasions to emphasize both the high level and intensity of the countries’ bilateral relations.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Japan the post offices of both countries launched a joint stamp issue. As usual, Japan printed a miniature sheet (140x222mm) with a pair of common stamps with Switzerland and another 8 different stamps, related to the main topic. The two common stamps represent:

a) Switzerland mountain in spring,

b) the Mount Fuji with cherry blossom;

the 8 other stamps are showing:

c) the Switzerland Alps with the Jungfrau glacier (a world heritage site),

d) the old town of Bern (a world heritage site),

e) the city of Lavaux (a world heritage site),

f) the Rhaetian Railway with the Albula and Bernina lines,

g) the Jungfrau Railway,

h) Narcisses field near Montreux,

i) blooming Alp roses and

j) the Bernina Alps behind an Alpine flower garden.

Stamps on Int. Year of Crystallography from Switzerland

Swiss Post issued two stamps on 2014 - International Year of Crystallography.

Date of Issue : 6 February 2014

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Swami Vivekanand’s Birth anniversary

 

 

Today is Birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanada,India’s  greatest philosopher,  monk and chief disciple of the 19th-century saint Ramakrishna. Srilanka Post issued a commemorative postage stamp on 7 June 2013 in celebration of 150th Birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanada. India Post issued 4 stamps and a special sheetlet on  12 January 2013 on year long celebration of Swami Vivekanand’s Birth anniversary.

Born into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined towards spirituality. He was influenced by his guru, Ramakrishna, from whom he learnt that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self; therefore, service to God could be rendered by service to mankind. After Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda toured the Indian subcontinent extensively and acquired first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing in British India. He later travelled to the United States, representing India at the 1893 Parliament of the World Religions. Vivekananda conducted hundreds of public and private lectures and classes, disseminating tenets of Hindu philosophy in the United States, England and Europe.

 

In India, Vivekananda is regarded as a patriotic saint and his birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day in India.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the year long  150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda on Sunday.The celebrations had begun on January 12, 2013, when commemorative postage stamps and coins were released.

Club News

Veteran philatelist Shri G Madan Mohan Das passed away….

 

    

Shri G Madan Mohan Das at SIPEX 2011, Chennai

Shri G Madan Mohan Das Veteran Philatelist of South India Philatelists’ Association passed away yesterday . Indian Philately has lost a great philatelist who actively worked for the promotion of philately throughout his life and organized many stamp exhibitions. He was Past President of SIPA  and  editor of  SIPA Bulletin. Shri Das had won many International awards and was appointed Commissioner and member of Jury in stamp exhibitions. Our deepest condolences to all the family members and South India Philatelists’ Association.

 

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International Year of Statistics 2013

 

 

Date of Issue : 24 May 2013

Portugal Post issued a set of two stamps and a miniature sheet to commemorate International Year of Statistics 2013 .

The International Year of Statistics (Statistics2013) is a global initiative, now encompassing more than 1400 participating organizations from 108 countries, which aims to celebrate and recognize the powerful contributions of statistical science to the lives of each one of us, on our everyday chores.

    

Through the combined effort of many organizations specializing in this area, the event "Statistics2013" aims to promote the importance of statistics, not only for the scientific community in the broad sense, but also for the business community, the government, the media and the public in general.

The objectives of this comprehensive celebration are:
- To increase public awareness of Statistics as a fundamental tool in all aspects of life in society.
- To promote Statistics as a career, especially among young people.
- To support and encourage creativity and development in Probability and Statistics sciences.

Nowadays the notions of Statistics and of (the Theory of) Probability are well differentiated. In a synthetic form, it can be said that the Theory of Probability is the study of mathematical models suitable for the description of random experiments, i.e., involving uncertainty (the so-called probabilistic or stochastic models). And that Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, analysing, interpreting and transmitting data, i.e. measurements or observations taken from the real world, as well as the prediction of new data. Thus, Statistic is an area of science, separated from Mathematics but in many aspects (in obtaining inferences and predictions) it is based on it and dependent on Computing. Depending on the many different approaches we may have Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Inference, Statistical Prediction, Statistical Decision, Official Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, Computational Statistics, Frequentist Statistics and Bayesian Statistics.

Special Folder : Portugal Gastronomy

Date of Issue : 7 July 2013

 

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